Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Crane?

\Crane\ (kr[=a]n), n. [AS. cran; akin to D. & LG. craan, G. kranich, krahn (this in sense 2), Gr. ge`ranos, L. grus, W. & Armor. garan, OSlav. zerav[i^], Lith. gerve, Icel. trani, Sw. trana, Dan. trane. [root]24. Cf. {Geranium}.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) A wading bird of the genus {Grus}, and allied genera, of various species, having a long, straight bill, and long legs and neck. Note: The common European crane is {Grus cinerea}. The sand-hill crane ({G. Mexicana}) and the whooping crane ({G. Americana}) are large American species. The Balearic or crowned crane is {Balearica pavonina}. The name is sometimes erroneously applied to the herons and cormorants. 2. A machine for raising and lowering heavy weights, and, while holding them suspended, transporting them through a limited lateral distance. In one form it consists of a projecting arm or jib of timber or iron, a rotating post or base, and the necessary tackle, windlass, etc.; -- so called from a fancied similarity between its arm and the neck of a crane See Illust. of {Derrick}. 3. An iron arm with horizontal motion, attached to the side or back of a fireplace, for supporting kettles, etc., over a fire. 4. A siphon, or bent pipe, for drawing liquors out of a cask. 5. (Naut.) A forked post or projecting bracket to support spars, etc., -- generally used in pairs. See {Crotch}, 2. {Crane fly} (Zo["o]l.), a dipterous insect with long legs, of the genus {Tipula}. {Derrick crane}. See {Derrick}. {Gigantic crane}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Adjutant}, n., 3. {Traveling crane}, {Traveler crane}, {Traversing crane} (Mach.), a crane mounted on wheels; esp., an overhead crane consisting of a crab or other hoisting apparatus traveling on rails or beams fixed overhead, as in a machine shop or foundry. {Water crane}, a kind of hydrant with a long swinging spout, for filling locomotive tenders, water carts, etc., with water.
\Crane\ (kr[=a]n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Craned} (kr[=a]nd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Craning}.] 1. To cause to rise; to raise or lift, as by a crane; -- with up. [R.] What engines, what instruments are used in craning up a soul, sunk below the center, to the highest heavens. --Bates. An upstart craned up to the height he has. --Massinger. 2. To stretch, as a crane stretches its neck; as, to crane the neck disdainfully. --G. Eliot.
\crane\, v. i. to reach forward with head and neck, in order to see better; as, a hunter cranes forward before taking a leap. --Beaconsfield. Thackeray. The passengers eagerly craning forward over the bulwarks. --Howells.
\Crane\, n. 1. Any arm which swings about a vertical axis at one end, used for supporting a suspended weight. 2. (Zo["o]l.) The American blue heron ({Ardea herodias}). [Local, U. S.]